A Geeky Viewpoint

Back in May, and in several postings before hand, I postulated that Sony Corporation may be attempting to Sell back the rights to the Spider-Man IP to Marvel Entertainment and Marvel Studios.

Over the past week multiple web-sites and blogs, including stories that Michael Lynton, Amy Pascale and Doug Belgrad, the three most senior people at Sony Pictures have been involved in high level discussions with there opposite numbers at Marvel Entertainment and Marvel Studios.

Earlier this week several blogs and columns have suggested the Civil War story arc will be phase 4 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and maybe AvX.  

There are three clear possibilities in the discussion between Sony and Marvel:

1. Sony is looking to loan/rent out Spider-Man for Marvel Ensemble Films but retain the rights for Solo Films and other films in the IP.
2. Sony is looking to use cameo and other in movie marketing of Spider-Man in the MCU
3. Sony is looking for an offer it cannot refuse to sell the entirety of the IP back to Marvel.

More rumors have spread out this week on the fate of the Web-Slinger

• Work on all films in the Spider-Man umbrella has stopped with the exception of The Sinister Six. 
• Andrew Garfield (Peter Parker in TASM and TASM2) has been informed that Sony is looking at replacing him
• The Sinsiter Six is now a soft reboot for Spider-Man
• Sony might hard reboot Spider-man
• Sony might soft reboot Spider-Man

And no one has heard a single peep from Ari Avad.

Let us assume that there really is high level talks between Sony and Marvel, if these talks are with the President of Sony Pictures and Above talking to the President of Marvel Entertainment than without question it has to be more than Cameos and in movie advertisement.   It's either renting the character to Marvel or Sale of the IP.
Considering Marvel Studios made almost 3 Billion dollars in Revenue over the past year, I'll let you consider whether renting or buying makes the most sense.

I find it interesting no one has heard from Ari Avad on the topic, that egomaniac must be dying to say something and get his name out there.

I feel that in the next few weeks, before The Sinister Six goes into production, Marvel will make a lowball offer to Sony, Sony may or may not counter, but I am thinking right now the rights to Spider-Man go back to Marvel sooner rather than later.

I don't think Sony can afford to risk that much money of The Sinister Six.